Read the most recent updates below:
Latest News
20220630 – Minor changes to the import policy for small ruminants from USA
For a limited period of time, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has modified and reinstated Option 2c as part of the import policy "Requirements for Small Ruminants Imported From the United States for Breeding, Domestic or Captive Purposes-TAHD-DSAT-IE-2007-5-6".
It will be available until December 31st 2022 for importers that meet the criteria specified in the import policy.
If you have any questions, please contact your local animal health district office.
Submit a proposed resolution TODAY for discussion at ALP's 2022 AGM!
A reminder to our eligible producers:
Effective December 2020, eligible Alberta Lamb Producers are able to submit proposed resolutions year-round for board consideration, with a cutoff date for submission being a few weeks prior to the AGM.
By providing eligible producers the opportunity to submit year-round submission, it allows the board and staff to research and provide information to the proposed resolution(s) in advance of the AGM, to help make the discussion more effective at the AGM before the voting period begins.
To submit a resolution for discussion at the 2022 AGM, please complete our resolution form and submit to the ALP office.
Resolution Form
NEW ALP Resolution Procedure
ALP Resolution forms must be returned to Alberta Lamb Producers by September 15, 2022 to be considered eligible. Proposed resolutions will not be accepted past this deadline or from the floor at the AGM.
Interest relief for agriculture producers - Advance Payments Program
What this program offers
Temporary increase to the interest-free limit for 2022 and 2023
On June 23, 2022, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a temporary increase to the interest-free limit for advances under the Advance Payments Program (APP). The change will make the purchase of important inputs such as fuel, fertilizer and seed more affordable for producers.
The interest-free limit will increase from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2022 and 2023 program years. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of producers. Through the increase to the interest-free limit, eligible producers will have access to additional cash flow over the next 2 growing seasons.
Additional information on this initiative can be found at Government of Canada announces interest relief for agriculture producers or by contacting an APP Administrator.
Here is more information on the Advance Payments Program
Register TODAY for the Alberta Ingredient Database
Are you interested in getting your products in the hands of local chefs and restaurants? Join the Alberta Ingredient Database, a free resource that is circulated to the participating establishments for Alberta on the Plate. This has proven to be a valuable resource for the chefs as they source local ingredients, with several new partnerships having developed as a result. We encourage anyone interested in working with restaurants directly to register prior to July 1.
Here is the link for the Alberta Ingredient Database Registration
If you have any questions about the database, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
ALBERTA LAMB PRODUCERS AWARDED $399,000 FROM RESEARCH DRIVEN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH (RDAR) TO SUPPORT THE ADAPTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANESTHETIC RELEASING ELASTRATOR BAND FOR USE IN THE CANADIAN LAMB INDUSTRY
AIRDRIE, ALBERTA, June 24, 2022
Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) today announced that it has recently been awarded $399,000 from Research Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) to investigate the adaptation of a novel anesthetic delivering elastration ligation band, developed by Chinook Contract Research Inc. (CCR) of Calgary, Alberta, for use in the Canadian lamb industry.
Video Ante-Mortem Inspection (VAMI)
A friendly reminder to our producers that our industry has access to this program. Find more information below.
Full information can be found here on the Government of Alberta website
Overview
The Video Ante-Mortem Inspection (VAMI) program allows for an ante-mortem inspection by video for animals that cannot be transported to an abattoir so that they may be humanely slaughtered on site.
After the animal is bled, the carcass is transported to a provincially-licensed abattoir. There, additional activities related to the slaughter are completed and a post-mortem inspection is conducted according to Alberta’s Meat Inspection Act (MIA) and Meat Inspection Regulation (MIR).
The meat may be sold if both an ante-mortem inspection and a post-mortem inspection have been conducted and passed, and the meat has been deemed fit for human consumption.
Eligibility
Species that can be slaughtered under the VAMI program are limited to domestic livestock including beef and dairy cattle, bison, cervids, hogs, sheep, lamb and goats.
VAMI can be performed only under the following circumstances:
- an animal is unfit for transport
- an animal is compromised and cannot be transported without resulting in additional suffering
- an animal is difficult to transport (in other words, it cannot be loaded or transported without endangering itself, another animal, or a person)
- an animal has escaped (provided they are contained in order for a suitable video ante-mortem inspection to be performed)
- any other circumstances prescribed and published by the Director
Cost
- There is no cost for the VAMI program. However, the licensed abattoir operator may charge to accept and process the carcass. The first step in the VAMI process is to contact a licensed abattoir operator to confirm they can and will accept the carcass.
- In some cases, appointed inspectors may assist with the VAMI and may charge a fee for this service.
ALP Needs You! Join the ALP Board of Directors – Fall 2022
Three Director-at-Large positions on the ALP Board will be up for election this fall.
Alberta Lamb Producers is the voice of producers in discussions with industry stakeholders and government. ALP needs a strong Board of Directors to ensure the interests of producers are represented, viable marketing opportunities are developed, and that check-off dollars are spent wisely.
To stand for election, you MUST submit a completed nomination form to the ALP office by July 31, 2022. Nominations forms are provided below.
There are Three Director-at-Large positions open on the 2022/23 Board. Candidates can be nominated from any region in the province - there no restrictions due to zone or geographical location.
The official ballots for the 2022 ALP Director’s election will be mailed with the fall issue of N’ewesletter. Producers have the option of advance voting by mailing the ballot to the ALP office or of voting in-person at the AGM on November 19th at Olds College.
What do you need to serve on the ALP Board as a Director?
- No previous board experience is required.
- Must be an eligible sheep producer residing in Alberta (Eligible producers must have paid service charge (check-off) to ALP within the last two years i.e. after Sep 1, 2020).
- Enthusiasm, ideas and a vision for building a strong lamb industry.
- A commitment to collaboration and the ability to work with other board members for the benefit of the industry.
- Ability to make the minimum commitment of 3-4 in-person board meetings, bi-weekly conference calls, and the ability to monitor and respond to emails at least every 48 hours. Per diems and expense reimbursements are provided.
It’s not all work! In addition to contributing to the industry, serving on the Board gives you opportunities for personal growth and skills development, such as making important industry contacts, and obtaining experience in board governance, leadership and project management.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) - Preparing for the Next Policy Framework
Help shape the Next Policy Framework set to replace the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in April 2023.
Representatives of Alberta's agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector are being consulted during May and June 2022 to gauge their understanding of the five priority areas identified in the Guelph Statement.
ALP is advocating for our producers at these enagement sessions for:
- Predation Management grant funding program to include upgrades to predation fencing, rebates on LGA’s and trapping training subsidies
- To include a wool value-added opportunity for producer by providing funding for wool pelleting machines as this helps to address green/environmental initiatives
- Pregnancy detection ultrasound machines and including training for individual producer to use the machine
- Funding for specialized feed equipment to improve efficiency which also ties in with green/environmental initiatives
*We are also encourgaing our producers and industry stakeholders to fill out the survey, click here and have your say. The survey closes June 6, 2022.
AgriStability 2022 enrollment deadline extended
The AgriStability enrollment deadline for the 2022 program year has been extended from April 30 to June 30, 2022. This extension allows farmers more time to sign up and take advantage of the support available under the program.
This step, agreed to by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, will enable the program to help more farmers manage the impact of challenges facing many farm operations, such as production loss, disease outbreak, increased costs and changing market conditions.